Former Sixers President Chris Heck is back with a new gig, this one in the Premier League:

Wow. Great gig.

Not sure how many people are aware, but Heck actually has a soccer background. He was the New York Red Bulls’ President of Business Operations for a few years before joining the Sixers in 2013. Heck left the team in the summer of 2022.

There’s a basketball connection with Aston Villa. They’re owned by a group that includes Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens, working alongside a guy named Nassef Sawiris. He’s got a small stake in MSG Sports, the group that operates the Knicks and Rangers. Small world, yeah?

Aston Villa is a great club. Lots of history. Blue collar supporters from a blue collar steel town in Birmingham. Home of great bands like JUDAS PRIEST and Black Sabbath. Since the formation of the Premier League back in the early 90s, Villa has been in the top flight every year except for a dip into the championship from 2016 to 2019. They’re gonna be here in the summer, playing Newcastle at Lincoln Financial Field in July.